Using the Gas Analyzer

When first switched on, the Gas Analyzer performs an initial self-test, and it should then be allowed time to warm up. When used with a PowerLab and LabChart, the Gas Analyzer has default scaling and units, and so can be used without further setting up.

Power-up Test of the Gas Analyzer

The Gas Analyzer performs an initial check when it is switched on. 1. Ensure dust caps are removed from both the Sample In and Exhaust ports of the Gas Analyzer, and that the Exhaust port is clear of obstruction. 2. Turn on the Gas Analyzer. Its Power indicator should glow blue. 3. Check the internal pump by flicking the Pump On switch. Its indicator should glow yellow and the pump may be heard. Allow at least 10 minutes of operation with the pump on before recording with the Gas Analyzer. Until it has warmed up, the output from the CO 2 transducer may be unusable due to a large offset.

Operation
The AGS688 samples the vehicles exhaust gas by means of an internal pump and high temperature resistant exhaust probe. Using the keypad, it is possible to set the date and time, and produce an immediate printout of all the results. The AGS688 contains a revolutionary newly designed water separation system. This considerably reduces the gas path length and maintenance schedules. The separation unit is injection-moulded and consists of two filters, a mechanical water separation filter and a fibre-based coalescent filter. A single axle, dual head pump assembly allows for continuous removal of water which

condenses in the separator. The AGS688 has gas-in and fresh-air (autozero) inputs, and a dedicated calibration gas input connection.

Recording
After connecting the Gas Analyzer to a PowerLab, with the PowerLab connected to your computer, connect the sampling tubing to the gas sample inlet of the Gas Analyzer using the in-line hydrophobic filter and Nafion tubing (to remove moisture). The analog signals from the Gas Analyzer are linear and proportional to the concentrations of CO2 and O2 (01 V from the CO2 output is equivalent to 010% CO2 and 0.051 V from the O2 output is equivalent to 5100% O2). These are approximate voltages and some variation from these values can occur. 1. Perform the power-up test for the Gas Analyzer as described in the previous section. Allow the Gas Analyzer at least 10 minutes warm-up time before use. 2. Turn on your PowerLab. It should perform its normal diagnostic tests, as described in the owners guide. 3. Start LabChart. The Status indicator of the Gas Analyzer should glow green. A suggested initial sampling rate is 20 /s. 4. To preview the signal from the Gas Analyzer, or to adjust the range or lowpass filter settings, choose Carbon Dioxide (or Oxygen) from the relevant Channel Function popup menu. The Carbon Dioxide (or Oxygen) dialog appears

The default Range is 10% for the Carbon Dioxide input and 100% for the Oxygen input. The default Low-pass filter setting is 5 Hz. You can record data in absolute or difference modes. The difference mode can be used to record changes in gas concentration from an ambient level. Select the CO2 (or O2) checkbox to use the difference mode. When in difference mode, click the Zero button to remove any offset in the signal

 Click the Units button to open the Units Conversion dialog, with which you can enter different values for the channel, as described under "Calibrating with LabChart", doing so deselects the Use default units checkbox. To revert to the default settings again, and so replace any previous settings made in the Units Conversion dialog, select the Use default units checkbox. The default settings are shown

5. Start recording in LabChart. Ensure the pump is on and breathe across, not directly into, the sampling tubing opening to record gas concentrations.

How it Works
The Gas Analyzer has an infra-red transducer to measure CO2 concentration and a visible spectrum transducer to measure oxygen concentration. It has a response time of about 0.2 s (at ~200 ml/min) and can be used to indicate CO2 and O2 trends in exercising humans and small animals. The variable speed pump draws sample gas through the two transducers. The pump can be set to any flow rate in the range 35 ml/min to 200 ml/min.

O2 Transducer
The O2 transducer is an Oxigraf X2004 sensor which uses absorption spectroscopy in the visible spectrum (760 nm). Narrow-band light supplied by a laser diode, thermally tuned to a particular emission-line in the oxygen spectrum, is directed across a chamber containing the incoming gas sample. A detector on the opposite side of the chamber detects any attenuation in the light intensity at the wavelength of interest. As the concentration of oxygen in the chamber increases, more energy is absorbed by the oxygen molecules in the gas and less light is received by the detector.

CO2 Transducer
The CO2 transducer is a Servomex model 1507 infrared transducer. It is calibrated so that output voltages in the range 01 V are proportional to CO2 concentrations in the range 010%. The optical path, generation and detection system is an amplitude modulated carrier system.

Considerations When Using the Gas Analyzer

The sample inlet and exhaust ports on the Gas Analyzer should remain clear. Unnecessary dead-space in the gas path should be kept to a minimum. Chemical contamination and rubber compounds should be avoided. The sample gas dewpoint should be at least 10 C below transducer temperature. The sample gas should be free of oil contaminants, particles and liquids or condensing vapors. In humid environments, or when sampling from exercising subjects, dry the sample using desiccant. Removing moisture will lengthen the life of the transducers.